Alert archive / Alaska / Storm Warnings in 2018

Storm Warning 31, NWS Anchorage, AK

February 24, 2018

NWS Anchorage, AK issued this storm warning at Feb 24, 2018, 3:36 PM AKST. It was in force for 48 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Feb 24, 2018, 3:36 PM AKST (00:36 UTC)
Expired
Feb 26, 2018, 3:23 PM AKST
In force
48 hr
Issued by
NWS Anchorage, AK

The text

As transmitted.

744 
FZAK62 PAFC 250036
OFFALU

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
336 PM AKST Sat Feb 24 2018

Offshore Waters Forecast for the Bering Sea

Wind forecasts reflect the predominant speed and direction
expected. Sea forecasts represent an average of the highest
one-third of the combined wind wave and swell height.

PKZ499-251415-
336 PM AKST Sat Feb 24 2018
.SYNOPSIS FOR CENTRAL BERING SEA...

A 988 mb low at 50N 170E will move to 57N 178W at 983 mb Sun 
afternoon. It will then move inland near Bethel early Mon morning
at 980 mb.

$$

PKZ411-251415-
Bering Sea Offshore West of 180 and East of the International
Dateline-
336 PM AKST Sat Feb 24 2018

...GALE WARNING THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...E wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 10 to 18 ft. Rain and snow.
.SUN...NW wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 13 to 27 ft. Rain and snow.
.SUN NIGHT...NW wind 20 to 35 kt becoming W up to 20 kt after
midnight. Seas 14 to 22 ft. Patchy fog.
.MON...SE wind up to 20 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft.
.MON NIGHT...W wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.
.TUE...S wind 35 to 50 kt. Seas 11 to 19 ft.
.WED...SE wind 30 to 40 kt. Seas 21 to 35 ft.
.THU...SW wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 16 to 24 ft.

$$

PKZ412-251415-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and North of 56N-
336 PM AKST Sat Feb 24 2018

...GALE WARNING THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...SE wind 10 to 25 kt becoming E 20 to 35 kt after
midnight. Seas 10 to 17 ft. Rain and snow.
.SUN...E wind 20 to 35 kt becoming SW. Seas 11 to 19 ft. Rain and 
snow.
.SUN NIGHT...NW wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 14 to 29 ft. Rain.
.MON...W wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 12 to 20 ft.
.MON NIGHT...W wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.
.TUE...SW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 6 to 10 ft.
.WED...SE wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 14 to 22 ft.
.THU...S wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 13 to 21 ft.

$$

PKZ413-251415-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and South of 56N-
336 PM AKST Sat Feb 24 2018

...STORM WARNING SUNDAY AND SUNDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...SE wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 11 to 14 ft. Rain and snow.
.SUN...SW wind 30 to 45 kt increasing to 40 to 55 kt with gusts to 70
kt in the afternoon. Seas 13 to 21 ft building to 18 to 33 ft in the
afternoon. Rain and snow showers.
.SUN NIGHT...W wind 40 to 55 kt diminishing to 30 to 45 kt after
midnight. Seas 27 to 37 ft subsiding to 19 to 34 ft after
midnight. Patchy fog developing after midnight.
.MON...SW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 14 to 22 ft.
.MON NIGHT...W wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 10 to 14 ft.
.TUE...SW wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft.
.WED...S wind 25 to 35 kt. Seas 14 to 21 ft.
.THU...SW wind 25 kt. Seas 11 to 16 ft.

$$

PKZ414-251415-
Bering Sea Offshore East of 171W-
336 PM AKST Sat Feb 24 2018

...STORM WARNING SUNDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...W wind 15 to 30 kt becoming SE. Seas 10 to 18 ft. Snow 
and rain.
.SUN...SE wind 20 to 35 kt becoming SW 30 to 45 kt in the
afternoon. Seas 8 to 12 ft building to 11 to 19 ft in the afternoon.
Rain and snow.
.SUN NIGHT...W wind 35 to 50 kt. Seas 15 to 30 ft building to 22
to 37 ft after midnight. Rain.
.MON...W wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 17 to 32 ft.
.MON NIGHT...W wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft.
.TUE...W wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft.
.WED THROUGH THU...S wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.

$$
4 follow-up statements
760 
FZAK62 PAFC 251238
OFFALU

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
338 AM AKST Sun Feb 25 2018

Offshore Waters Forecast for the Bering Sea

Wind forecasts reflect the predominant speed and direction
expected. Sea forecasts represent an average of the highest
one-third of the combined wind wave and swell height.

PKZ499-260200-
338 AM AKST Sun Feb 25 2018
.SYNOPSIS FOR CENTRAL BERING SEA...

A 983 mb low near 55N 175E will move inland over the Y-K Delta at
981 mb late Sun night. An associated front over the eastern Bering
will move inland over southwest AK by Sun evening. A weak trough
of low pressure will move over the western Aleutians Mon morning
and move east across the Bering through Tue morning.

$$

PKZ411-260200-
Bering Sea Offshore West of 180 and East of the International
Dateline-
338 AM AKST Sun Feb 25 2018

...STORM WARNING TODAY...

.TODAY...N of 56N... NE wind 25 to 40 kt. S of 56N... NW wind 35 to 
50 kt. Seas 14 to 29 ft. Rain and snow.
.TONIGHT...NW wind 25 to 40 kt diminishing to 10 to 20 kt after 
midnight. Seas 15 to 23 ft.
.MON...E wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 8 to 13 ft.
.MON NIGHT...W wind up to 20 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.
.TUE...SE wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 14 to 22 ft.
.WED...S wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 19 to 34 ft.
.THU...SW wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 13 to 20 ft.

$$

PKZ412-260200-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and North of 56N-
338 AM AKST Sun Feb 25 2018

...GALE WARNING THROUGH TONIGHT...

.TODAY...S wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 12 ft building to 14 to 22 ft in
the afternoon. Rain and snow.
.TONIGHT...NW wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 16 to 31 ft. Rain.
.MON...W wind 10 to 25 kt diminishing to up to 15 kt in the
afternoon. Seas 12 to 20 ft.
.MON NIGHT...W wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 7 to 11 ft.
.TUE...SW wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 8 to 16 ft.
.WED...SE wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 12 to 20 ft.
.THU...SW wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 13 to 19 ft.

$$

PKZ413-260200-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and South of 56N-
338 AM AKST Sun Feb 25 2018

...STORM WARNING THROUGH TONIGHT...

.TODAY...SW wind 40 to 55 kt. Seas 15 to 23 ft building to 20 to
35 ft in the afternoon. Rain and snow showers.
.TONIGHT...W wind 40 to 55 kt. Seas 22 to 37 ft.
.MON...SW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 13 to 21 ft. Rain and snow.
.MON NIGHT...W wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft.
.TUE THROUGH WED...S wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 10 to 18 ft.
.THU...SW wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 12 to 17 ft.

$$

PKZ414-260200-
Bering Sea Offshore East of 171W-
338 AM AKST Sun Feb 25 2018

...STORM WARNING TONIGHT...

.TODAY...SE wind 20 to 35 kt becoming SW 30 to 45 kt in the
afternoon. Seas 9 to 12 ft building to 11 to 19 ft in the
afternoon. Rain and snow.
.TONIGHT...SW wind 35 to 50 kt. Seas 16 to 31 ft building to 23 to
38 ft after midnight. Rain.
.MON...W wind 30 to 45 kt diminishing to 15 to 30 kt in the
afternoon. Seas 20 to 34 ft subsiding to 15 to 23 ft in the
afternoon.
.MON NIGHT...W wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 15 ft.
.TUE...W wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 7 to 11 ft.
.WED...SE wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.
.THU...SW wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.

$$
431 
FZAK62 PAFC 260017
OFFALU

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
317 PM AKST Sun Feb 25 2018

Offshore Waters Forecast for the Bering Sea

Wind forecasts reflect the predominant speed and direction
expected. Sea forecasts represent an average of the highest
one-third of the combined wind wave and swell height.

PKZ499-261400-
317 PM AKST Sun Feb 25 2018
.SYNOPSIS FOR CENTRAL BERING SEA...
A 980 mb low at 58N 178W moves inland near 61N 165W at 981 mb Mon
morning with its front into Western Alaska by Midday Monday. A 
1004 mb low and front near 49N 166E moves across Bristol Bay into
the Gulf of Alaska for Tue Afternoon. A 963 mb North Pacific low 
moves to 50N 168E at 949 mb Tue afternoon.

$$

PKZ411-261400-
Bering Sea Offshore West of 180 and East of the International
Dateline-
317 PM AKST Sun Feb 25 2018

...GALE WARNING TONIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NW wind 25 to 40 kt diminishing to up to 20 kt after
midnight. Seas 15 to 23 ft.
.MON...E wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft. Snow.
.MON NIGHT...SW wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.
.TUE...SE wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 8 to 13 ft.
.TUE NIGHT...SE wind 35 to 50 kt. Seas 13 to 28 ft.
.WED...S wind 35 to 50 kt. Seas 20 to 35 ft.
.THU THROUGH FRI...S wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 11 to 19 ft.

$$

PKZ412-261400-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and North of 56N-
317 PM AKST Sun Feb 25 2018

...GALE WARNING TONIGHT...

.TONIGHT...W wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 17 to 32 ft. Widespread rain
showers.
.MON...W wind 15 to 30 kt diminishing to up to 15 kt in the
afternoon. Seas 13 to 21 ft.
.MON NIGHT...W wind up to 20 kt increasing to 15 to 30 kt after
midnight. Seas 7 to 12 ft.
.TUE...W wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 8 to 11 ft.
.TUE NIGHT...SE wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft.
.WED...SE wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 12 to 20 ft.
.THU THROUGH FRI...SW wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 10 to 18 ft.

$$

PKZ413-261400-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and South of 56N-
317 PM AKST Sun Feb 25 2018

...STORM WARNING TONIGHT...

.TONIGHT...W wind 40 to 55 kt. Seas 28 to 38 ft subsiding to 19 to
34 ft after midnight.
.MON...SW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 13 to 21 ft. Snow and rain.
.MON NIGHT...W wind 15 to 30 kt becoming NW up to 20 kt after
midnight. Seas 10 to 14 ft. Snow.
.TUE...SE wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 7 to 10 ft.
.TUE NIGHT...SE wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 8 to 16 ft.
.WED...S wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 12 to 20 ft.
.THU THROUGH FRI...SW wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft.

$$

PKZ414-261400-
Bering Sea Offshore East of 171W-
317 PM AKST Sun Feb 25 2018

...STORM WARNING THROUGH MONDAY...

.TONIGHT...SW wind 35 to 50 kt. Seas 16 to 31 ft building to 23 to
38 ft after midnight.
.MON...W wind 35 to 50 kt diminishing to 15 to 30 kt in the
afternoon. Seas 20 to 34 ft subsiding to 16 to 24 ft in the
afternoon. Snow.
.MON NIGHT...W wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 15 ft.
.TUE...NW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 10 ft.
.TUE NIGHT...SW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft.
.WED...SE wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.
.THU...SW wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.
.FRI...W wind up to 15 kt. Seas 6 to 10 ft.

$$
697 
FZAK62 PAFC 261250
OFFALU

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
350 AM AKST Mon Feb 26 2018

Offshore Waters Forecast for the Bering Sea

Wind forecasts reflect the predominant speed and direction
expected. Sea forecasts represent an average of the highest
one-third of the combined wind wave and swell height.

PKZ499-270245-
350 AM AKST Mon Feb 26 2018
.SYNOPSIS FOR CENTRAL BERING SEA...

A 1004 mb low at 51N 171E moves inland near 58N 158W at 999 mb by
Tue morning. A 954 mb low at 47N 169E Tue morning moves to 54N 168E 
at 950 mb by Wed morning.

$$

PKZ411-270245-
Bering Sea Offshore West of 180 and East of the International
Dateline-
350 AM AKST Mon Feb 26 2018

...GALE WARNING TUESDAY...

.TODAY...Variable wind 15 kt. Seas 8 to 13 ft.
.TONIGHT...W wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.
.TUE...S wind 10 to 25 kt becoming SE 30 to 45 kt in the
afternoon. Seas 7 to 12 ft.
.TUE NIGHT...SE wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 13 to 21 ft.
.WED...S wind 35 to 50 kt. Seas 18 to 32 ft.
.THU...SW wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 16 to 24 ft.
.FRI...S wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft.

$$

PKZ412-270245-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and North of 56N-
350 AM AKST Mon Feb 26 2018

.TODAY...W wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 12 to 20 ft.
.TONIGHT...W wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 8 to 11 ft.
.TUE...W wind 15 to 30 kt becoming SW up to 20 kt in the
afternoon. Seas 8 to 11 ft. Freezing spray N of 58N in the morning.
.TUE NIGHT...SE wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft.
.WED THROUGH THU...SW wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 13 to 21 ft.
.FRI...SW wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 9 to 13 ft.

$$

PKZ413-270245-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and South of 56N-
350 AM AKST Mon Feb 26 2018

.TODAY...SW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 13 to 21 ft. Snow and rain.
.TONIGHT...W wind 15 to 30 kt becoming NW 10 to 20 kt after 
midnight. Seas 10 to 14 ft.
.TUE...NE wind up to 15 kt becoming SE 15 to 30 kt in the
afternoon. Seas 9 ft.
.TUE NIGHT...SE wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft.
.WED THROUGH FRI...SW wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 10 to 18 ft.

$$

PKZ414-270245-
Bering Sea Offshore East of 171W-
350 AM AKST Mon Feb 26 2018

...STORM WARNING TODAY...

.TODAY...W wind 35 to 50 kt diminishing to 15 to 30 kt in the
afternoon. Seas 20 to 33 ft subsiding to 14 to 22 ft in the
afternoon. Snow.
.TONIGHT...W wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 15 ft.
.TUE...NW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 12 ft.
.TUE NIGHT...SW wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 7 to 10 ft.
.WED...SE wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 8 to 13 ft.
.THU...SW wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 8 to 13 ft.
.FRI...W wind up to 15 kt. Seas 6 to 10 ft.

$$
947 
FZAK62 PAFC 270023
OFFALU

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
323 PM AKST Mon Feb 26 2018

Offshore Waters Forecast for the Bering Sea

Wind forecasts reflect the predominant speed and direction
expected. Sea forecasts represent an average of the highest
one-third of the combined wind wave and swell height.

PKZ499-271415-
323 PM AKST Mon Feb 26 2018
.SYNOPSIS FOR CENTRAL BERING SEA...

A North Pacific low moves to 52N 168E at 949 mb Tue night and 
continues to 57N 169E at 954 mb Wed afternoon. Its front pushes 
across the Western Aleutians by Wed afternoon. High pressure 
moves into Western Alaska through Wed afternoon.

$$

PKZ411-271415-
Bering Sea Offshore West of 180 and East of the International
Dateline-
323 PM AKST Mon Feb 26 2018

...GALE WARNING TUESDAY AND TUESDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...SW wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.
.TUE...SE wind 10 to 25 kt increasing to 30 to 45 kt in the
afternoon. Seas 8 to 13 ft. Snow.
.TUE NIGHT...SE wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 10 to 18 ft building to 16
to 24 ft after midnight. Rain and snow.
.WED...S wind 35 to 50 kt. Seas 18 to 32 ft.
.WED NIGHT...SW wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 20 to 32 ft.
.THU...SW wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 16 to 24 ft.
.FRI...S wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft.
.SAT...SW wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 17 to 22 ft.

$$

PKZ412-271415-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and North of 56N-
323 PM AKST Mon Feb 26 2018

...GALE WARNING TUESDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...W wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 8 to 11 ft.
.TUE...W wind 15 to 30 kt becoming variable up to 20 kt in the 
afternoon. Seas 8 to 12 ft.
.TUE NIGHT...SE wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 8 to 16 ft. Snow and rain.
.WED...S wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 12 to 20 ft.
.WED NIGHT...S wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 14 to 22 ft.
.THU...SW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 13 to 21 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SAT...SW wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft.

$$

PKZ413-271415-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and South of 56N-
323 PM AKST Mon Feb 26 2018

...GALE WARNING TUESDAY AND TUESDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...W wind 15 to 30 kt becoming NW up to 20 kt after
midnight. Seas 10 to 15 ft. Snow.
.TUE...SE wind up to 15 kt increasing to 20 to 35 kt in the
afternoon. Seas 7 to 10 ft.
.TUE NIGHT...SE wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft. Rain.
.WED...S wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 14 to 19 ft.
.WED NIGHT...SW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 11 to 19 ft.
.THU THROUGH SAT...SW wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft.

$$

PKZ414-271415-
Bering Sea Offshore East of 171W-
323 PM AKST Mon Feb 26 2018

.TONIGHT...W wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 10 to 15 ft. Snow.
.TUE...W wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 12 ft.
.TUE NIGHT...W wind up to 20 kt becoming SE 15 to 30 kt after
midnight. Seas 7 to 10 ft.
.WED...SE wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.
.WED NIGHT...SE wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft.
.THU...SW wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 8 to 13 ft.
.FRI...W wind up to 15 kt. Seas 6 to 10 ft.
.SAT...SW wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft.

$$

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this storm warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Anchorage, AK wrote its last area forecast discussion before this storm warning went out at Feb 24, 6:05 AM AKST, 9 hours 31 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Feb 24, 6:05 AM AKST, 9 hours 31 minutes before
Southcentral and Southwest Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
605 AM AKST Sat Feb 24 2018

.ANALYSIS AND UPPER LEVELS...
The active weather pattern continues as the next snow event has
blasted through Southwest AK and is now moving into Southcentral.
This is all being supported by a semi-meridional upper level
(30,000') jet at a 130 kt. This strong jet is helping to mix down
some gusty westerly winds behind the snow over SW AK. It is also
ushering in some cold air and heavier showers across the Bering,
especially near the Pribilofs. Over Southcentral, snow has been
falling for a good part of the night from Talkeetna over to
Cordova. However, a moderately strong triple-point low is now
taking shape over the Northern Gulf of Alaska. The net effect of
this is pulling down some northerly flow from the interior
portion of the state at the surface. This is allowing some drier
air to slide underneath the snow and slow accumulation rates thus
far. Radar was more impressive earlier in the night, but light
snow will still continue to fall through the morning.

Over the Western Aleutians and Western Bering, the next system is
already approaching. Another gale-force front will slide into the
area from the North Pacific later today. And then this will become
the next weather-maker for the mainland late Sunday into Monday.

&&

.MODEL DISCUSSION...
Models remain in very good agreement through the weekend. This
results in moderate to high forecast confidence in the broader
synoptic features. Areas of uncertainty with this package are
exact snow amounts across Southcentral and how much low-level
moisture (fog/stratus) will redevelop overnight across the
southern mainland. Generally higher-resolution models were used
for fine tuning the forecasts this morning.

&&

.AVIATION...
PANC...Conditions are holding tight in the IFR range this morning
with light snow. This will continue through about 21z when we
expect the snow to taper off and cig/vis to improve. It is
possible that we could see conditions go VFR for a few hours this
afternoon, but then we expect stratus to redevelop late this
evening. Forecast confidence in the stratus is low to medium at
this point as offshore flow could bring enough drying to keep it
from forming.

&&

.SHORT TERM FORECAST SOUTHCENTRAL ALASKA (Days 1 and 2)...
Widespread snow will continue this morning over much of
Southcentral as an upper low moves overhead before beginning to
cut off over the Gulf by this afternoon. Accumulations are now
expected to be slightly lower after seeing the 12z Anchorage
sounding this morning indicated only very weak instability in the
snow growth zone (-5 to -20C), causing snow ratios to be much less
than initially expected. Most areas of the Anchorage Bowl and
Matanuska Valley should see an additional few inches from this
event, however this is about half of what was first thought for
these areas. The Gulf low will then move into the Eastern Gulf by
this afternoon, which should allow snowfall to gradually diminish
from west-east as gusty westerly winds develop in the Gulf. The
strongest of these winds are expected from the Barren Islands
southward under the upper level jet where widespread storm to
hurricane force gusts are expected to develop by this afternoon.
These winds will then diminish throughout the area by Sunday
morning as the Gulf low quickly makes landfall over the Southern
Panhandle ahead of another shortwave ridge.

The very active pattern in the Gulf and South Mainland will then
continue into early next week as yet another system quickly moves
into the Gulf for late Sunday-Monday. This low will take more of a
northeasterly track into the Gulf ahead of arctic trough digs
through the Mainland. Snow amounts from this system will be
heavily dependent on how far east the low tracks as it makes
landfall over the North Gulf Coast early Monday, but there is
increasingly good agreement that this system will bring another
round of widespread snowfall to Southcentral and the North Gulf
Coast, which could be heavy at times in Anchorage and the
Matanuska Valley for the Monday morning commute.

&&

.SHORT TERM FORECAST SOUTHWEST ALASKA (Days 1 and 2)...
A frontal system is currently exiting SW Alaska this morning which
will bring an end to widespread snow seen across the area
overnight. Cold air wrapping around the base of a trough over the
northern Bering will help to support scattered snow showers across
the Kuskokwim Delta and River Valley today, though accumulations
are expected to be minimal for most locations. Strong westerly
winds will also continue to ramp up today, with gusts expected to
reach up to 40-50 mph along the coast from Nunivak Island south to
Bristol Bay. The long fetch westerly winds will also lead to rough
surf along the coastline during the day.

A brief period of high pressure will build in tonight before the
next stronger system moves in rapidly from the west. A front will
bring another round of snow to the area beginning Sunday
afternoon tapering off during the day on Monday, with total
accumulations expected to be between 3-5 inches. A bigger concern
with this system will be another and more intense round of long
fetch westerly winds aimed at the southwest coast Sunday night
through Monday, which could potentially lead to storm surge issues
for low lying areas along the coast including Kuskokwim Bay and
the northern Bristol Bay coast. The current timing of the storm
brings the peak surge to the coast at low tide Monday morning,
which would only produce a moderate surge of 2-4 ft above the high
astronomical tide line (HAT). If the system slows down by about 6
hours, the peak surge would coincide with high tide Monday
afternoon bringing surge levels possibly up to 5-6 ft above the
HAT line, causing some serious coastal erosion and flooding
issues. Stay tuned for more updates over the weekend as the timing
and impacts of this system are locked down.

&&

.SHORT TERM FORECAST BERING SEA/ALEUTIANS (Days 1 and 2)...
A surface low in the northern Bering is leading to a tightened
pressure gradient and widespread westerly gale force winds across
most of the Bering. Cold air advection will lead to scattered snow
showers today over the eastern Aleutians and AKPEN before the
next system comes barreling into the western Bering/Aleutians
tonight. A surface low with associated frontal system will sweep
across the region tonight and Sunday bringing an area of storm
force winds across the southern Bering and Aleutians. This will
cause a rapid rise in sea states with waves building up to 35 ft
Sunday night and Monday for the southern Bering between the
Pribilofs and Aleutian Islands.

&&

.LONG TERM FORECAST (Monday through Friday)...The active pattern
remains on tap through next week.

For the southern mainland and Kodiak Island we're still on track
for a low to traverse the mainland beginning Sunday night
supported by a large upper trough. This system remains
sufficiently cold to keep all precipitation of the frozen variety
except for Kodiak Island where rain should briefly mix in. A
triple point low forms along the North Gulf Coast Monday then
dives southeast Tuesday and Wednesday. A residual low remains in
the Prince William Sound area through Monday night. Coupled with
the supporting upper trough, this could result in the snowfall
staying over south central Alaska through Monday night. The low
and associated trough that extends to the northwest will result in
a tight gradient and thus, gusty strong outflow wind out of the
Chugach Mountains ringing Prince William Sound Wednesday and
Thursday. The gradient relaxes Friday and conditions should settle
down over the southern mainland. Previously we were expecting
a shot of warmer advection into southwest Alaska Thursday night
and Friday. The latest model solutions are backing away from the
warm advection intruding into southwest Alaska at this point.

Over the Bering Sea, Aleutians and AKPEN we start the week with a
large strong low over the eastern Bering Sea that barrels into
the mainland Sunday night. Cold air wraps around the west quadrant
of this low coupled with the tighter pressure gradient, should
result in strong gusty west and northwest wind over the eastern
Bering Sea and AKPEN Monday. A weak flat ridge in the wake of
this low will rapidly yield to the next incoming storm entering
the western Bering Sea late Monday. This low rapidly traverses the
Bering Sea before dissipating as it approaches the Bristol Bay
region Tuesday night. A large low is then on tap to push into the
western Bering Sea Wednesday. Yesterday it appeared this low would
push a front to the Bering Sea Coast and strong warm advection
into southwest Alaska. Todays model runs have backed off on that
solution opting for a more westerly track that will have the front
stall then dissipate over the eastern Bering Sea Friday.

&&

.AFC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
PUBLIC...None.
MARINE...Storms 130, 131, 136, 137, 173, 175, 177, 178, 351, 352,
413.
Gales 120, 132, 138, 139, 141, 150, 155, 160, 165, 170, 172,
174, 176, 179, 180, 185, 411, 412, 414.
Heavy Freezing Spray 130.

&&

SYNOPSIS AND MODEL DISCUSSION...MSO
SOUTHCENTRAL ALASKA...DEK
SOUTHWEST ALASKA/BERING SEA/ALEUTIANS...KVP
LONG TERM...SA

In the hours before

Local storm report, Feb 24, 10:31 AM AKST, 5 hours 5 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ANCHORAGE AK
1031 AM AKST SAT FEB 24 2018

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0935 AM     SNOW             14 NNW HOPE             61.08N 149.78W
02/24/2018  M3.3 INCH        ANCHORAGE          AK   PUBLIC

            3.25 INCHES OVERNIGHT WITH SNOW STOPPING
            AROUND 9:30 AM.

0931 AM     SNOW             19 SSW KNIK             61.18N 149.86W
02/24/2018  M2.8 INCH        ANCHORAGE          AK   PUBLIC

&&

The office that day

Everything else NWS Anchorage, AK issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Feb 24, 3:36 PM AKSTGale WarningAFC48 hr
Feb 24, 3:36 PM AKSTStorm WarningAFC48 hr
Feb 24, 3:36 PM AKSTHeavy Freezing Spray WarningAFC24 hr
Feb 24, 3:41 PM AKSTGale WarningAFC24 hr
Feb 25, 3:38 AM AKSTGale WarningAFC24 hr
Feb 25, 3:38 AM AKSTStorm WarningAFC12 hr
Feb 25, 3:38 AM AKSTStorm WarningAFC24 hr
Feb 25, 3:38 AM AKSTHeavy Freezing Spray WarningAFC12 hr
Feb 25, 3:56 AM AKSTStorm WarningAFC48 hr
Feb 25, 4:00 AM AKSTGale WarningAFC4 days
Feb 25, 4:00 AM AKSTStorm WarningAFC48 hr
Feb 25, 4:17 AM AKSTWinter Weather AdvisoryAFC42 hr
Feb 25, 7:05 AM AKSTWinter Weather AdvisoryAFC15 hr

Nearby

Storm Warnings in Alaska, 2018Every storm warning in 2018

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text.